Raymond James Stadium in Tampa will officially open on
Sunday as the Bucs host the Bears. But in Tampa, Pugliese &
Smith report that many fans had not received their season
tickets for the new facility, which "prompted a flood of
telephone calls" to the team. Other "concerned season-
ticket holders stormed the team's headquarters." Ken
Goodwin, a season-ticket holder since '76: "It just really
aggravates me these people have the audacity to take our
money since 1995 -- with interest -- and wait until the last
minute to send us our tickets." The Bucs, "who declined
comment, remain optimistic that people will have their
season tickets by today" (TAMPA TRIBUNE, 9/18). Today's ST.
PETE TIMES provides a special section on the new facility
titled, "Raymond James Stadium: Dropping Anchor." The
section examines the stadium's construction, the field, and
the luxury and club seating (ST. PETERSBURG TIMES, 9/18).

S.F. Mayor Willie Brown will meet with 49ers interim
President Larry Thrailkill and NFL Commissioner Paul
Tagliabue today about the status of the team's stadium
complex. Brown, on the team's new leadership: "I'd be more
comfortable if there was somebody whom I'm familiar with.
Eddie DeBartolo would never not return my call. He would
never hold a press conference before talking to me" (S.F.
EXAMINER, 9/17). Meanwhile, defense attorneys in LA
"speculated" that 49ers co-Owner Eddie DeBartolo "may have
become a cooperating witness" in their case against former
LA Gov. Edwin Edwards and son Stephen. Edwin Edwards said,
"I've been hearing since yesterday rumors that DeBartolo
would not be indicted" (DETROIT NEWS, 9/18).

NHL Panthers fans will get their "first look" at the
National Car Rental Center on Saturday when the arena is
"unmasked" for Sneak Peak/HockeyFest '98. About 35,000
people "are expected" to attend the event which will feature
skydiving Elvis impersonators, marching bands and a
fireworks display (MIAMI HERALD, 9/18)....In Detroit, David
Josar reports that Wayne County officials have "cleared the
way for construction of the Lions' stadium" after the
approval of two "complex" 35-year leases between the county
and the Detroit/Wayne County Stadium Authority, and the
county and the Downtown Development Authority. No
construction date has been set (DETROIT NEWS, 9/18).

Portland (OR) Mayor Vera Katz, calling 72-year-old
Civic Stadium "an opportunity waiting to happen," is leading
a group of civic officials "in spelling out a plan to find a
private-sector investor to operate" the city-owned facility,
according to Ken Wheeler of the Portland OREGONIAN. City
and Metro Exposition-Recreation Commission officials have
"suggested" that an investor -- or investors -- could be
"selected" by May with planning starting then. So far,
three local groups have shown interest "in participating in
renovation of the stadium and securing additional tenants
for the facility." Katz said she has "spoken" to team
officials of the Padres, Expos, Tigers, A's and Twins and a
"senior official" with MLS "to make them aware of the city's
intentions." Katz: "Portland is on their list, but I can't
tell you if it is high up or at the bottom of the list."
March 1 is the target date for a decision (OREGONIAN, 9/17).

The Pacers will include a "three-pronged commercial
project" in the northwest corner of Conseco Fieldhouse,
"with plans to promote the site as a destination even on
nights when there are no events at the arena," according to
Sean Horgan of the INDIANAPOLIS STAR-NEWS. Pacers Assistant
GM David Kahn said that the team is in the "final planning
stages for the project," which will include an upgraded team
store, an interactive-games area and a casual-dining
restaurant. The project will occupy "about" 9,000 square-
feet over two levels of the Fieldhouse (STAR-NEWS, 9/17).

Following the Padres' 6-3 loss to the Cubs on Wednesday
night, in which Padres fans cheered for Sammy Sosa after his
grand slam (and MLB record-tying HR No. 63) gave the Cubs
the lead, Padres OF Greg Vaughn said, "Sammy Sosa's a good
friend of mine and he's had a great year. But what the
(bleep) is going on? We're trying to do something for this
city and the (bleep) fans are rooting for this guy to beat
us. ... Everyone in this clubhouse feels like we have our
road uniforms on. Are we the enemy? ... This is just
(bleep) and you can tell the fans that" (Bill Center, S.D.
UNION-TRIBUNE, 9/17). In S.D., Braun & LaVelle write that
attorney Michael Aguirre, a co-Chair of the Proposition C
ballpark campaign, "called the Padres to register his
concern" about Vaughn's remarks, saying that "a few poorly
chosen words would haunt the ballpark measure," which will
be voted on in November. Aguirre asked a team official:
"Can we have a big meeting with the players and explain to
them the concept of killing public image? Because they are
killing us." Padres Owner John Moores said that "there
would be no such meeting," and that the "only apology would
be from the front office to the players -- for using the
scoreboard and fireworks to congratulate Sosa." Moores
"went on to blame his own organization for the
'inappropriate' fireworks." Moores: "When Sosa hit it, I
thought I was going to throw up, and then the fireworks went
off and it pissed me off" (S.D. UNION-TRIBUNE, 9/18).